The '''Fords of Isen''' were fords in the river [[Isen]], guarded by the [[Rohirrim]].

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{{location

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| image=[[Image:Matěj Čadil - Ethraid Engrin.jpg|250px]]

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| name=Fords of Isen

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| othernames=[[Athrad Angren]], [[Ethraid Engrin]]

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| etymology=

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| type=Ford

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| location=In the [[Gap of Rohan]] where the [[North-South Road]] crossed the River [[Isen]]

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| inhabitants=[[Rohirrim]]

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| realms=[[Rohan]]

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| description=A double ford – two shallow arms of the river surrounding a large eyot

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| events=[[First Battle of the Fords of Isen]]</br>[[Second Battle of the Fords of Isen]]

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| references=

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}}

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The '''Fords of Isen''' were the crossing point of the [[North-South Road]] on the river [[Isen]] in the [[Gap of Rohan]]. At the western border of the realm of [[Rohan]] and at a strategic position between the [[Misty Mountains]] and the [[White Mountains]],<ref name="Map">{{UT|Map}}</ref> the Ford was constantly guarded by the [[Rohirrim]].

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The river Isen ([[Sindarin]] '''[[Athrad Angren|Angren]]''') was not crossable anywhere south of its origin in [[Isengard]], except at the Fords of Isen which were just above the point where the Isen bent west towards [[Belegaer]]. As it was the only way into [[Gondor]] and later [[Rohan]], it was closely guarded from the fortresses of [[Isengard]] and the [[Hornburg]] at [[Helm's Deep]].

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==Geography==

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The River Isen ([[Sindarin]] '''[[Sîr Angren]]''') could not be crossed anywhere south of [[Isengard]], except at the Fords of Isen,<ref name="Isen">{{UT|Isen}}</ref> which were just above the point where the river bent west towards [[Belegaer]].<ref name="Map"/> In this area the river became broad and shallow, flowing across a stony shelf and branching into two arms about a large eyot. Only here could large forces effectively cross the river.<ref name="Isen"/> During much of the time the Fords were closely guarded from the fortresses of [[Isengard]] and the [[Hornburg]] at [[Helm's Deep]].

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During the [[War of the Ring]] the fords were attacked from both shores by [[Orcs]] of [[Saruman]] who had passed south from Isengard in secret, and King [[Théoden]] of Rohan's son [[Théodred]] was killed when [[Gríma Wormtongue]] refused to send reinforcements. Despite Théodred's death a company of the [[Rohirrim]] under [[Grimbold]] attempted to hold the fords, but they had to give them up against a force which outnumbered them more than five times.

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==History==

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In {{SA|3320}}, two Númenórean Kingdoms were established - [[Arnor]] in the north and [[Gondor]] in the south.<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref> Between them ran a road built by the [[Exiles of Númenor|Númenórean Exiles]] to connect their realms. A traveler journeying southward through [[Enedwaith]] along the [[North-South Road]] would come to the point where it crossed the River [[Isen]] (then known by its [[Elvish]] name of '[[Angren]]'). The crossing of the Fords of Isen—the [[Ethraid Engrin]] (or [[Athrad Angren]]) as they were known in those times—marked the point of entry into the southern land of Gondor.

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The surviving Rohirrim fled south to the Hornburg, just barely outrunning Saruman's forces, and almost doubled the number of defenders during the [[Battle of the Hornburg]].

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After the fall of [[Sauron]] in {{SA|3441}}<ref name="SA"/> but before [[Isildur]] departed from [[Gondor]] in {{TA|2}},<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> the army of Arnor marched home to [[Eriador]] via the Fords of Isen.<ref>{{UT|Gladden}}</ref>

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{{wotr}}

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In {{TA|2510}} the Steward [[Cirion]] granted the land of [[Calenardhon]] to [[Eorl]] the Young.<ref name="TA"/> The River Isen then became the western boundary of the new realm of [[Rohan]] and responsibility for the great road and the Fords fell upon the [[Rohirrim]], although it was agreed that free passageway would be maintained for all travelers of either people.<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}, (iii) ''Cirion and Eorl''</ref>

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On [[18 September]], {{TA|3018}}, the [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] crossed the Fords of Isen on their way to [[the Shire]].<ref name="Great">{{App|Great}}</ref>

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In the [[First Battle of the Fords of Isen]] (on [[25 February]], {{TA|3019|n}}<ref name="Great"/>) the [[Orcs]] of [[Saruman]], reinforced by [[Dunlendings]] and wolfriders, plus two battalions of [[Uruk-hai]], rushed down upon [[Théodred]], King [[Théoden]]'s son, and killed the Prince. This blow against the leadership of Rohan was Saruman's main objective in this battle and his forces then withdrew.

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[[Erkenbrand]] of [[Westfold]] maintained a defense at the Fords after the First Battle, under the immediate command of [[Grimbold]], strengthened by [[Elfhelm]] and his riders. However, on [[2 March]], {{TA|3019|n}}<ref name="Great"/> the host of Saruman overwhelmed the defenders and swept across the Fords in the [[Second Battle of the Fords of Isen]].

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In August of {{TA|3019|n}}<ref>{{App|Chief}}</ref> [[Aragorn]] took leave of the reduced company that had formed King Théoden's funeral escort near the Fords of Isen.<ref>{{RK|VI6}}</ref>

The River Isen (SindarinSîr Angren) could not be crossed anywhere south of Isengard, except at the Fords of Isen,[2] which were just above the point where the river bent west towards Belegaer.[1] In this area the river became broad and shallow, flowing across a stony shelf and branching into two arms about a large eyot. Only here could large forces effectively cross the river.[2] During much of the time the Fords were closely guarded from the fortresses of Isengard and the Hornburg at Helm's Deep.

In T.A.2510 the Steward Cirion granted the land of Calenardhon to Eorl the Young.[4] The River Isen then became the western boundary of the new realm of Rohan and responsibility for the great road and the Fords fell upon the Rohirrim, although it was agreed that free passageway would be maintained for all travelers of either people.[6]